Newsflash!

wAVR now supports the latest AtTiny devices which use the uPDI programming protocol. You'll need the latest development version of avrdude plus some patches to take advantage of it. Existing owners can get uPDI support free of charge with a simple firmware update.

In addition to uPDI support, the price of wAVR has been reduced by $20 down to just $79.

Description

I wanted an AVR programmer which didn't rely on a device driver on the host (looking at you, Windows) and which had a built-in terminal server so I could use telnet to access the rs232 debug UART on my target devices. I also wanted it to be powered by the target, giving complete isolation from the host's power supply.

Here's a list of the standout features

Programs devices over USB using "avrdude" or Atmel Studio though this is not the preferred mode of operation.

Supports target voltages between 1.65 volts and 5.5 volts.

Communicates with your target using RS232 on a UART or bit-banged I/O pin, making "printf" style debug very simple. wAVR will make the UART data available over WiFi using the telnet command on your host. Both RxD and TxD are supported at all the common baud rates.

wAVR's OLED display keeps you informed of both its status and various target parameters. It can also be configured to show the RS232 data received from the target.

The USB interface provides two CDC-compatible RS232 interfaces. One of those can be used for programming - supporting the same protocols as the WiFi interface. The other provides access to the same target UART interface mentioned above. This might be useful if, for whatever reason, WiFi is unavailable.

The USB interface can also be configured to emulate just enough of Atmel's STK600 programmer for Atmel Studio to be used to program your devices without the need to add avrdude as an external command. Though again, this is not the preferred mode of operation.

wAVR can provide your target with a configurable recovery clock signal should you need it to reset the fuses on Tiny or Mega devices.

All I/O signals between wAVR and your target are protected against electrostatic discharge, over-voltage and reverse voltage.

In most cases, wAVR can be powered by your target. Only when your target voltage is below around 3.1 volts will wAVR need a separate power connection. wAVR will show a message on the OLED display if its power-supply voltage is too low for reliable operation.

Full galvanic isolation from your host PC and/or test/measurement tools when powered by the target.

Firmware updates for wAVR itself can be applied over WiFi. Note that wAVR doesn't phone home to implement this. It has a WiFi-capable bootloader which talks to a simple downloader program on the host.

Included with the board is a ribbon cable for connecting wAVR to the target board and four self-adhesive rubber feet. Note that a USB-A to USB-Mini-B cable is not supplied. The USB cable is normally only required to provide power to wAVR if your target's power supply doesn't meet wAVR's requirements.

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About scdoubleu

Maverick Embedded Technology was set up to see if my electronics and software hobby could be turned into a business.I have many years experience with commercial embedded systems from small startups to one of the biggest high-street names in consumer products.